Improvement in feed-water heaters



WITNESSES 2 Sheefis-Sheet 1. W. B. ORAW. F ee d-Water He ater.

Patented Aug. 26,1879.

mvsmon ATTORNEY- rLPiTERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPHEEWASHINGTQN. a c.

I 2 smu -sneer 2 W. B. ORAW. Feed-Water Heater.

No, 218,859. Patented Aug. 26,1879. 57.5..

WITNESSES u INVENTOR PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. GRAW, OF BURLINGTON, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FEED-WATER HEATERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 218.859,

July 12, 1879.

for Engines and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to an improvement in feed-water heaters forlocomotive-engines 5 the object being to provide a simple and durablefeed-water heater, which may be applied to locomotive-engines at smallinitial cost, and of such construction and arrangement of parts thattheheat of the exhauststeam may be utilized in raising the temperatureofthe feedwater before it 'is fed into the boiler.

My invention consists, first, in the combina. tion, with a pipeconnecting at one end with the exhaust-steam pipes or passages of a 1000motive, of a compartment formed in the tank of the tender, and connectedwith the main chamber thereof by gates or valves, or both, one end ofsaid pipe entering said compartin cut, whereby exhaust-steam may beconveyed to a portion of the water in the supply of water therein keptconstant in quantity and equalized in temperature;

My invention further consists in the combination, with a pipe leadingfrom the locomotive exhaust-steam pipes to a compartment formed in thewater-tank of the tender, of a cork or other float valve connected withthe end of the pipe submerged in the water of the compartment, wherebywater is prevented from entering the exhaust-steam-supply pipe, and

also the exhaust-steam is not subjected to undue back-pressure.

My invention further consists in the combination, witha pipe leadingfrom the locomotive exhaust-steam pipes or passages to a compartmentformed in the water-tank of the tender, of a water cock or valve locatedin the lower portion of the partition forming the compartment, saidvalve provided with a handle, whereby a constant flow of water may besecured from. the main chamber of the tank to the heating-compartmentthereof.

My invention further consists in the combitank, and the dated August 26,1879; application filed nation, with a pipe leading from the locomotiveexhaust steam pipes or passages to a compartment in the water-tank, of agate located in said compartment, said gate being provided with ahandle, whereby any desired quantity of cold water may beheating-compartment to regulate the temperature of the water therein.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a1ocomotive-engine furnished with my improved feed-water heater. Fig. 2is a front-end elevation, with a portion of the parts cut away to moreclearlyshow the construction and arrangement of parts. Fig. 3 is anenlarged view of the heating-compartment in the tank, and Fig. 4 is aplan view of the tank.

A A represent the exhaust pipes or passages, through which exhaust-steamis conveyed from the steam-cylinders B B to the smoke-stack. B is a pipefor conveying exhauststeam to the water-tank.

The forward portion of pipe B is subdivided into two branch pipes, G G,which lead to and open into the exhaust-passages A A.

In order that the exhaust-steam may readily enter the branch pipes O Oin sufficient quantity to efiect the desired result, the ends a a of thebranch pipes O C, which connect with the exhaustpassages A A, projectupwardly into said passages, and are cut away at b 11, adjacent to thesteam-cylinders, whereby said projecting ends operate as deflectors toconvey the exhaust-steam into the branch pipes and rearward into thewater-tank.

When it is not desired to convey the exhauststeam to the water-tank, andthe valve governing the flow of steam is closed, the upwardly-projectingends a awill not restrict thepassage of exhaust-steam to the smokestackto any harmful degree or extent. Pipe B is preferably carried beneaththe fire-box, or on the lower side thereof, and suitably supported atits rear end, though it may be located immediately underneath the seatof the cab, and its rear end carried down to be in line with the undersurface of the foot-board of the tender. To the rear end of pipe B isdetachably secured a flexible tubular connection, D, either of rubber orwoven hose, or

metallic conductor, provided with a universal joint and with suitablesteam-tight couplings.

instantly supplied to the The opposite end of the connecting-tube D isattached to a pipe, E, which extends upwardly, and is carried over anddownwardly into the compartment F of the water-tank.

The lower end of pipe E is provided with a valve-cage, 0, within whichis placed afloatvalve, G, which latter may be made of cork or rubber, orother equivalent material.

When exhauststeam is allowed to enter the pipe and flow into thecompartment F of the tank it is not subjected to any appreciableback-pressure from the valve G, as the latter is light and readilyforced downwardly away from its seat on the lower end of the pipe E. i

The valve G serves to prevent water from entering the steam-pipe, andthus obviates any danger of water freezing and bursting the steam-supplypipes when the engineis not running.

H is a partition extending across the end of the water-tank, andconnected at its ends to the opposite walls thereof. I is a cock orvalve located in the lower portion of said partition, and to said cockis connected a handle, I, for opening and closing the same.

J is a pipe leading from the lower portion of heating-compartment F tothe steam-pump K, the latter operating to force the heated water intothe boiler of the locomotive.

By means of the valve I a small and regular supply of water from themain tank to the heating-compartment can be insured.

L is a gate hinged or pivoted to partition H, and provided with ahandle, L Gate L opens or closes the opening L in said partition, itspurpose being to enable a large supply of water to be instantly suppliedto the heatingcompartment whenever desired, in order to regulate thetemperature of the water therein.

Pipe B is provided with a valve or cook, M, the valve-stein of which isprovided with an arm, d, which is connected by a link, 6, with one arm,f, of a bell-crank lever, g, to the other arm, h, of which is secured arod, h, which extends back into the cab, that the supply ofexhaust-steam allowed to flow into thetank may be easily regulated bythe fireman from within the en gine-cab.

To prevent the water from freezing in the heating-compartment of thetank when the engine is not running, I connect a steam-pipe, N, with thepipe B, the other end of pipe N opening directly into the steam-space ofthe boiler.

Pipe N is furnished with a valve to cut off steam when not needed foruse.

Instead of having the exhaust-steam pipe project downwardly into thewater, it may terminate above the level of the water, and afinely-perforated diaphragm be interposed between the surface of thewater and end of the pipe, that the steam may be distributed andsubdivided into fine jets, thus causing the heating-compartment to actas a surface-condenser, at the same time reducing the backpressure onthe exhaust-pipe, and yet utilize the heat of the steam in raising thetemperature of the feed-water.

By means of my improved feed-water heater the water in theheating-compartment may be raised in temperature of from 120 to 150Fahrenheit, and thereby effect a considerable saving in the cost offuel, cause the engine to generate steam more quickly and freely, serveto reduce the amountof water used, owing to the fact that the steamconveyed to the tank is condensed and again used, serve to purify thewater before entering the boiler, and thereby lessen the formation ofscales or mineral deposits on the inside of the boiler and flues, andthus operate to prolong the life of the fire-box, boiler, and lines.

In some build of engines the steam-conductin g pipes may be inserted inthe exhaustpipes near the nozzle or end of exhaust-pipes, and in suchcase the pipes would go into the upright portion of the exhaust-pipes atright angles thereto, and the projecting ends of the steam-pipes cutaway on their lower sides to allow the steam to enter same.

Again, the steam-conducting pipes may be placed beneath the jacket orboiler-casing, to prevent the condensation of the steam within thepipes.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the exhaust-steam pipes or passages of alocomotive, of a pipe connecting therewith at one end, and its oppositeend opening into a compartment formed in the water-tank of the tender,said compartment being connected with the main chamber of the tank bygates or valves, or both, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a pipe leading from the locomotiveexhaust-steam pipes or passages to a compartment formed in thewater-tank of the tender, of a cork or equivalent float-valve connectedwith the end of the submerged pipe in the water of said compartment,substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a pipe leading from the locomotiveexhaust-steam pipes or passages to a compartment formed in thewater-tank of the tender, of a water cock or valve located in the lowerportion of the partition forming the division-wall of said compartment,substantially as set forth.

4.. The combination, with a pipe leading from the locomotiveexhaust-steam pipes or passages to a compartment in the water-tank, of agate located in. said compartment, said gate being provided with ahandle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this7th day of July, 1879.

- WILLIAM B. ORAW. Witnesses:

CHAS. W. GARDINER, F. L. MISNER.

